Photos – courtesy of Evgenia Levin ©
Rafal Piesliak is a contemporary sculptor and installation artist whose work explores the intersections of human connection, environmental change, and collective memory. His practice is rooted in repurposing discarded household and industrial objects, transforming them into thought-provoking installations that examine the social and psychological impact of technological and cultural shifts. Through a meticulous interplay of form, material, and light, Piesliak challenges viewers to reconsider their perception of space, time, and history.
In his solo exhibition My Little Apocalypse, Piesliak presents a new series of installations that respond to the accelerating evolution of technology and its influence on human existence. Instead of focusing on surface-level discussions of artificial intelligence or digital culture, his work delves into the deeper consequences of obsolescence and progress. Using salvaged industrial components and luminous structures, he creates an immersive environment that blurs the line between past and future, presence and absence.
The exhibition space itself becomes an active participant in the narrative, enveloping visitors in a haunting yet reflective atmosphere. Through a post-apocalyptic aesthetic, Piesliak invites audiences to engage intuitively with his work, sparking personal and collective dialogues on transformation, loss, and resilience.
Rafal Piesliak (b. 1983) earned his degree in sculpture from the Vilnius Academy of Arts in 2008. His work has been exhibited in Lithuania and internationally, including in Latvia, Poland, Ukraine, Italy, and Germany. His large-scale sculptures have been permanently installed in public spaces, reinforcing his presence in the contemporary art scene. In 2010, he received Poland’s State Award for Cultural Merit, and in 2020, his installation Garden was awarded Best Sculpture/Installation at ArtVilnius’20.
My Little Apocalypse is on view at (AV17) Gallery, Totorių St. 5, Vilnius, until March 6.
